At 5:00 A.M. on September 22, Padre Pio sings Holy Mass before the large crowd of members of his Prayer Groups gathering in San Giovanni Rotondo to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his stigmatization. He collapses at the altar at the end of Mass and is supported by the American Friar, Br. Bill Martin. At 6:00 P.M., Padre Pio gives his final blessing to the crowd in the church and retires to his cell. This would be the end of his public ministry on Earth.